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[Superdorf]

"Don't taunt me with your velvet— lies," you spit, rising to your full height, wings spread in anger. "I know your business. Gaeginas is no merchant, but a king among thugs." You creep to the edge of your dais, your eyes afire, your scales rattling with heat. "What is the truth, velvet man? What can you offer me save your own death?"

5

That does it. The shipcaptain cowers on both knees, his hat in his shaking hands. Behind him, his bodyguards whimper in undisguised terror. Even your own guards seem taken aback.

"You are right, lady, you are right— of course you are right," says Trovan. "My commander is king over pirates, because he is the greatest pirate of them all: an enormous, terrible man! He protects cities like yours from his own fleets, pillages those he cannot bind in tribute! He sent me here, because— because—"

"Speak." You flap once, sending a gale of hot air through the hall.

7

"—you slew his own men, my lady!" Trovan gasps, breathing hard on the floor. "Baron Harthy, he was late on a payment, bad fishing season or some such… Gaeginas sent ships to teach him a lesson. How was he to know the Baron was dead, and you his conqueror?"

"Your swimmer saw me take the ship whole, and you surmised I was guardian here."

"A lucky guess," quavers Trovan. "Gaeginas sent me in parley— I mean you no ill! There are many things that may be gained, from an alliance with the corsair king. Offer provisions for his enterprise, and he will keep watch over your city. Grant safe harbor here to his ships, and he will bring treasures from across the Arran Sea! Are you so beloved by the empire, lady, that you'll blind yourself to these favors?"

A) Your corpses and your ship are all the favor I need!
B) I've no interest in these things.
C) Provisions you will have, but your ships are not welcome here.
D) Safe harbor and trade you will have, but we offer no free meals to you.
E) Very well, let's talk about both these favors.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

for the record, ZENDRAKIEL's forelegs dangle in front of her like little cat paws when she rears up like this… it'd be super cute if everything else wasn't so scary

[Glass]

D
We are a dragon. We are capable of being reasonable where offers of treasure are concerned.
But do not imply our territory requires that others “keep watch”.

[Maximum Spin]

I think we should find out exactly what harboring pirates will mean to our people and to our interactions with other outsiders first.

[IronyOwl]

E

As a dragon, we've no need for pirate assistance. As a dragon, we're interested in hearing about shiny objects.

B

Technically a lie, as we are obviously interested in treasures from across the Arras Sea, but there's probably better ways to get them than piracy.

[Fluffe9911]

D I like money

[Devastator]

Specifically mentioning the Empire is worrisome.  I have no objection to harbouring pirates, it could be a good way to accumulate wealth and power, but if they attack other Empire principalities it could mean war.  And we aren't ready for a war yet.

E.

Lets talk about it.  I'm in favor of kicking this can down the road a bit, and we might be able to talk a gift out of this Pirate King.  Plus he might ransom his prisoners back.  We don't need to get the pirate fleet now.

[Glass]

“E” is the “take both” option.

[Superdorf]

You consider the pirate's words in silence.

B
DD
E

Soothed by the music of terrified men, you opt for mercy.

"Here is how it will be, velvet man," you purr, settling back onto your dais. Trovan raises his head, listening hard. "You will return to Gæginas. You will tell him that I refuse his 'protection'— that I offer no tribute to him. You will tell him, indeed, that I offer protection: while his vessels dock here, I myself will ensure their safety from the empire. In return, he will bring me rich treasure, fine things from over the sea."

"If his men have need of provisions," you add, with a satisfied flick of your tail, "they may purchase them from us as the merchants do. Our salt cod is clean, our prices fair."

6

"...you make a fine offer, lady ZENDRAKIEL," says Trovan, lifting himself back onto his feet. "And a terrible threat, I must admit." He grins again, ruefully. "I see why your people respect you."

"I'll see to it," he continues, "that your proposition reaches Gæginas' ear. He has never heard such an offer before, understand— only a creature like yourself could chance it." The pirate bows, then dons his hat again. "You'll have your answer from us in the fall, one way or another."

You nod, stifling a contented rumble in your throat.


Only one thing left to settle now… do you mention your pirate captives before Trovan leaves?
A) Nah.
B) Yes, but don't give them up.
C) Yes, and demand ransom!
D) Yes, and pass them back to Trovan for free.

[Maximum Spin]

A
Didn't we try to integrate them? We should probably be telling THEM that the pirates came back and find out A) how many even want to go back to a life of piracy and B)  what they will offer us for the chance.
ETA: Oh, I guess just enslaved them. Well, they're not getting them back without some ransom anyway.

[Superdorf]

((You've basically been using them as slaves for various rebuilding projects around the city. Between that and the initial maimings, it's safe to say they're not happy campers at the moment.))

[Glass]

A
Eh, sure, C.

[IronyOwl]

C

Unless we need slave labor for some reason?

[King Zultan]

A

[Devastator]

C

(As for what we do with them, we really should upgrade our palace after they finish rebuilding homes.)

[TricMagic]

C